Weekly Challenge 33: Crazy Cannons

Stage: 5 Short Challenge Level:

Two cannons both fire balls at speed $100 \mathrm{ms}^{-1}$. One of the cannons is fixed at an angle of $45^\circ$ to the horizontal and the other is fixed at angle $30^\circ$ to the horizontal. The cannons are set up facing each other at a distance $D$ from each other. One cannon is fired and then, $T$ seconds later, the other cannon fired.

The balls subsequently strike each other in mid air.

Show that that $T$ must lie within a range of values and that both $T$ and $D$ must be greater than zero.

Did you know ... ?

The mathematics used in this question, along with an understanding of how gravity works at large distances, is sufficiently complex to send rockets to the moon and the planets of our solar system.

The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the
NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to
embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice. More information on many of our other activities
can be found here.